Dared to be different

What we like:

Truly innovative

looks chic inside and out and Citroën has painstakingly kept weight to a minimum. So a small engine does just fine in this car.

What we dislike:

The gearbox does not live up to the rest of the car

and subsequently does mar the driving experience somewhat. Also

there are some minor quirks in interior ergonomic design.

I spent some time thinking about the Cactus and I came to the conclusion that despite the gearbox’s foibles, it is not a deal breaker. For what it is, the Cactus is an excellently engineered car and credit has to be given for its innovative features that are not superfluous. Even the gearbox choice was reportedly down to weight-saving measures. If you can, indent one with a manual and the turbocharged petrol or even diesel and then it definitely makes for a more complete car.

If you enjoy something truly innovative, chic and just plain fun, the Cactus ticks all of the right boxes. Don’t let the big fly in the ointment kill the joy – some would say that as it comes with being creative, some mistakes are accepted.

Credits: Story and photos by Wong C W